In a message dated 2/13/05 11:48:23 AM, Don_Dixon@BELLSOUTH.NET writes:

<< VW in their wisdom has the ground wires for all the headlights (in the
late model that's four) going to a connector that has two wires attached to it
(so four light grounds to two wires to one connector - ouch!). >>

I hear this recited so often on this List that I wonder if this fallacy will
become truth.  To believe that the size of the headlight grounding conductors
on a Vanagon was specified with inadequate ampacity is to believe that German
engineers are also inadequate.  I've known a couple of German engineers and
while they might be a hard-headed, pain-in-the-ass lot, they are generally
pretty competent.

Sure, your grounding on a 20 year old van might be inadequate, from age not
by design.  Age has its effects on all things.  The sheer act of separating
then joining the electrical connection might be all that is necessary to once
again establish a secure electrical contact and to boost the device terminal
voltage.  Clean the connections, replace the corroded terminals which are about to
fall off anyway and install a relay upgrade in order to preserve the cheap
headlight switch, but ya doesn't haveta continue to relate the misconception
that the wiring is too skimpy.

Considering the very short conductor runs and the amperage drawn by the
headlights, a clean headlight lens or a fresh lamp will produce a far more palpable
effect on the amount of perceived light than the few hundredths of a volt
provided by increased wire size.  That is, as long as the terminations are solid
and secure.

George